-40%

Early WESTERN ELECTRIC July 1918 Patented Battery RADIO Speaker Horn DRIVER

$ 119.85

Availability: 100 in stock
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Modified Item: No
  • Brand: WESTERN ELECTRIC
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

    Description

    CIRCA
    1918 EARLY WESTERN ELECTRIC JULY 23, 1918 PATENTED EXPERIMENTAL BATTERY RADIO SPEAKER HORN DRIVER
    This is likely the first ever battery radio horn driver, as it pre-dates when commercial radio first came about by 2-3 years.   When this device was patented in 1918, radios were still considered to be
    "experimental."   This device is a very significant development in radio technology as it led the way for electric speakers for radios in the 1920's.  An amazing electrical artifact.
    Measures 3" in DIA.  and stands 3 1/2" TALL and is 2 3/8" deep.  Diaphragm still in perfect shape
    - seems to be be made out of a japanned tin.   Has a connector jack plug marked "CARTER RADIO CO. - PAT. PEND" that would patch into the jack where the headphones would go on the battery radio set-up.    The one end of wire going into this plug has frayed cloth shielding.
    The later commercial radio wood oe metal speaker drivers that eventually came out in the early 1920's were made of cheap pot metals and often cracked and chipped away.  They were total junk.   This Western Electric unit, aside from being made in limited quantities for high-end experimental use only, is made to the highest standards of quality.  The parts are predominately made out of carefully machined plate steel - as held together by machine screws - and all nickel plated. Only one piece seems to be cast and then machined - i.e. the main body - which incidentally, is made of very very thick cast steel and then machined inside where the coils and guts go.  The most sophisticated radio speaker driver we have ever seen - and likely one of the first ever, if not the first.
    Minor tarnish, wear and scratches consistent
    with age and general use
    from a
    lmost a century ago.  Please see all photos as they are part of the description.
    ASK ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE
    EXECUTING A "BUY IT NOW."
    Being electrical -sold "AS-IS"
    EXHIBITS NICELY.   AS SHOWN ABOVE.
    POSTAL RATES SHOT UP BACK ON JANUARY 28th, 2019.... and have risen even higher since then.
    STANDARD SHIPPING in US is .00 w/ DELIVERY CONF. &
    INSURANCE INCLUDED. Includes 15%
    EBAY SELLER'S SHIPPING SURCHARGE.   Carefully
    double boxed
    for safe secure shipment.
    WE DO NOT SHIP BY UPS as they rip open boxes insured at 0 or more seeking to deny shipments containing antiques. ALL SHIPMENTS NORMALLY MADE THROUGH USPS - BUT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEND BY FEDERAL EXPRESS GROUND INSURED.  OVERSEAS SALES shipping is .00 by REGISTERED USPS Air Mail or minimally insured mail for safe signatured
    delivery
    and easy Customs clearance.  ASIA & AUSTRALIA is .00. CANADA is .00
    .
    GA STATE residents must pay
    8% STATE SALES TAX.
    GOOD LUCK!  WE COMBINE SHIPPING!